JACK COLLISON steps out at Upton Park this afternoon for the beginning of the end of a two-year nightmare that brought him heartbreak and an injury that threatened to ruin his career.

Jack Collison has revealed how Frank Lampard helped him through his darkest days []

With help from Hammers old boy Frank Lampard, the midfielder once hailed as West Ham’s new golden boy has emerged from a private hell that saw his father killed in a motorcycle crash on the way to watching him play against Tottenham.

Despite playing for rivals Chelsea and suffering his own heartache with the sudden death of his mother, England star Lampard has helped Collison cope with his pain and grief by sending him messages of hope.

The young Wales international revealed Lampard’s role in his recovery as he prepared to help West Ham’s bid to bounce back up to the Premier League at the first attempt.

Collison has a tattoo tribute to his father Ian, who died aged 46, and he said: “What Frank did was a nice touch that I’ll never forget. It was a difficult time for me and he’ll always be someone I look up to.

“It’s nice when your heroes are like that. It shows he’s got class off the pitch as well as on it. It was nice of him to send me the messages just to keep me going. You need role models and idols to keep pushing yourself and he is a good person.

“Frank came through the West Ham academy and I really admire him. I don’t know him all that well, so what he did means a lot.”

Collison suffered the knee injury that required major surgery 14 months ago. He has worked throughout the summer to make sure he was fit for today’s curtain-raiser against Cardiff and the major promotion push that is expected from West Ham this season.

“It’s been a turbulent time for me and it was very frustrating being out so long,” he added. “While a lot of the boys were away, I was in the gym working hard on my own. Rehab is a very lonely place.

“But now I’m back and stronger as a person. I’m just looking forward to getting in as many games as possible and getting us to the top of the league and promoted.”

Collison is confident that with Sam Allardyce as manager the Hammers can fulfil their fans’ high expectations. “He’s got this long-ball tag but he’s not like that,” he added. “If we start winning and the confidence comes, you’ll see good football.”

Today’s opponents also have a new boss and Cardiff captain Mark Hudson says they were right to axe Dave Jones following a third consecutive play-off disappointment.

Malky Mackay is now in charge of the Bluebirds and Hudson hopes the ex-Watford boss can guide Cardiff into the top flight.

Hudson, 29, said: “What Dave Jones did for this club was brilliant. He got the club to where it is now. But maybe it was the right time for a change and hopefully the new manager can help us to take that next step.”